The Smalcald Articles – part 122
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 15:1–5
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Smalcald Articles
God wished to appear even to Moses through the burning bush and spoken Word. No prophet — not even Elijah or Elisha — received the Spirit without the Ten Commandments. John the Baptist was not conceived without the preceding word of Gabriel, nor did he leap in his mother’s womb without the voice of Mary. Peter says, “No prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21). However, they were not holy without the outward Word, and the Holy Spirit would not have moved them to speak when they still were unholy. They were holy, Peter says, because the Holy Spirit spoke through them.
Pulling It Together: The Word of God sanctifies all whom it touches. This cleansing does not happen to people because they do holy things but instead, because the holy God has forgiven them of all their sin. Believers are cleansed through faith in him, and so, in what he promises. His Word accomplishes this holying in us. Now, we must abide in his Word so that we are cleansed daily and bear fruit of the Vine, who is Christ, the living Word of God.
Prayer: Cleanse me again today, Lord God, and give me faith to abide tomorrow. Amen
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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